I have been living in Japan for almost three years now, and for two and a half of those years I tried to learn Kanji the usual way- that is, the same way Japanese do; write the character on a word card and the on and the kun readings, as well as the english meaning, on the other side. Impossible. So a friend of mine recommended the first book of Heisig's and I'm flying through them. I can't wait to finish it so I can buy this book. Living in Japan makes it easier, I'm sure, because I'm surrounded by the things. I just can't forget them!